Meet The Team

Vincent Debitetto

SAT/ACT, Math and Science

Vincent is a recent graduate of Boston University and is pursuing a career in dentistry. He is an experienced tutor in all subjects but has a strong focus on Math thru Calculus and all of the sciences.

Vanessa Vonderheide

ACT, Science, Spanish

Vanessa holds a BS in Chemistry from Fordham University. She is a scientific recruiter for Johnson Service Group, Inc. and worked at Pepsico in product developmental using her chemical background.

Ted Schimenti

SAT/ACT, History, Math and Science

Ted holds a B.A. in History from Columbia University and is pursuing an M.A. from Manhattanville College in teaching, specializing in Physics. Ted has a varied background in engineering and liberal studies making him a well-rounded tutor to help in a variety of subjects.

Stacy Wilder

Assistant Director, College Application Advisor; Essays

Stacy has been part of the the CPW team since 2011. She has worked with students to capture and devleop their unique stories into memorable and distinctive college essays. Her 30 years of writing and editing experience, both in the corporate and private sector, make her uniquely qualified to help advise students through the writing elements of the college process.

Additionally, Stacy volunteers in the Yonkers high schools, working in a college counseling center to help guide students through the college application and essay writing experience. She is also a co-chair for the Armonk Outdoor Art Show and is Member Relations Liaison for the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

Neal Schwartz

Owner/Director, Certified College Counselor

Neal has been providing academic and college planning services to Westchester County students since 2004. He earned his College Counseling Certification, with distinction, from UCLA Extension.

College Planning of Westchester provides a holistic approach to the academic, college prep and search process. By addressing and assisting with all academic, college planning, application and financial needs, student's are supported every step of the way through their pre-college years.

Neal is president of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Northern Westchester Business Network. Neal also volunteers at Yonkers High School advising students through the college process.He graduated from Union College in Schenectady. His wife is an optometrist in Westchester County.   He has three college graduates who all live and work in NYC.


Neal is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association and subscribes to HECA standards of good practice.

Lily Gutterman

SAT/ACT, English, Science and Math

Lily is an honors graduate of Brown University as well as a cum laude graduate of Byram Hills HS. Lily brings a wealth of tutoring experience in both language arts, math and science and has worked with a wide range of students throughout the world. She has a keen interest in anthopology and secured a National Science Foundation award. She currently works at the Museum of Natural History in NYC.

Lauren Racano

SAT/ACT, English, Spanish

Lauren is a graduate of Fairfield University with both a Masters in Education and a Bachelors in English. She grew up in the area and is also a graduate of Fox Lane HS. Lauren currently works in the Stamford school district during the daytime hours.

Jim Johnson

Math SAT/ACT and Science ACT

Jim is a long time middle school and high school math teacher through Algebra 2 and Trig. He has been on our staff for over 5 years, putting hundreds of students at ease as they succeed in their math and SAT/ACT work.

Janel O’Brien

SAT/ACT, English and History

Janel is a New York state-certified social studies teacher with her Master's in history and education. She has been the lead tutor for SAT/ACT prep, reading, writing, and English since 2004.

David Hutt

ACT

David is a premier ACT tutor with 15 years of experience with this test. David teaches an ACT class at two Westchester County schools: Irvington High School and Iona Prep. Prior to these roles he worked as an ACT/SAT consultant at Summit School in Nyack and was sent to Paris to tutor SAT for a top tier U.S. University. Previously, David was a counselor at Bronx High School of Science for 10 years. David holds a bachelor degree from Northwestern in Sociology and a Masters degree from Columbia Teachers College

Ben Wagner

SAT/ACT, Math and Science

Ben is a magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College and is pursuing a career in Medicine. He will be attending Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in NYC this fall. He just returned from a 2 year stint as a Peace Corps Security Volunteer in Nepal. He is an experienced tutor in Math and the Sciences.

Audra Gustin

SAT/ACT, English, History, Science

Audra holds a Masters degree in International Communication from American University. She has worked with ESL students, as well as those with autistic, processing and behavioral issues.

Ariel Leeds

Ariel earned her MA in teaching and is New York state certified in early childhood education. She has extensive experience as a student teacher and substitute teacher in elementary schools. Ariel is a qualified reading, writing, and math tutor for younger students.